“He is occupied with the sale of the spring lambs,” said Thea, glancing this way and that for Dunsby Hall’s stalls.
“I am certain it will go well for him,” said Mina, glancing at her.
And Thea tried to hold fast to her smile as she nodded. “I know I am fretting for nothing. They have grains aplenty to sell, and the Vosses’ wool is the best in the village.”
Pulling her to a stop, Mina’s brows furrowed. “He still hasn’t said what is bothering him?”
Waving it aside, Thea pointed them toward a stall selling toffee. “He is struggling with his father’s passing. That is all.”
“So you wrote, but I refuse to believe it—no matter how often you repeat it,” she said with a frown. “Trust your instincts, Thea. You’ve known him your whole life, and if you feel there is something more to his behavior of late, then there likely is. But I am certain you will sort it out: you and your Mr. Voss are perfect together.”
Thea raised a brow. “You haven’t even met him yet.”
But Mina was the one to wave it aside this time. “You’ve written a novel’s worth of letters about him, and everything you’ve shared is a ringing endorsement not only of him but of you as a pair. Unless you are an entirely poor judge of character—which I cannot believe—I am certain he is a good man.”
Gazing out upon the bustling crowds, she added, “The market will go splendidly for him, and all will be well once more. He will complete his mourning, propose, and you two will have a long and perfect life together.”
“Perfect is a tall order,” said Thea.
“Beautiful, then.”
A smile curved the corner of her lips as she considered that. “A beautiful life together.”
Mina nodded before drawing them nearer to a food stall. “Is that toffee?”
“The best you will ever taste,” said Thea.
“I’ve never met a toffee I do not love.”
And without further ado, the pair purchased far more sweets than was good for them, and they indulged in the buttery, sugary delights as they wove deeper into the stalls, stopping here and there at various enticements. Thea’s eyes continued to scour for signs of Frederick, though with this being the most important market of the season, so many people had descended upon the village that it was hard to find anyone in particular.
“I do hope Phoebe will attend,” said Thea, her eyes searching for that familiar face as well. “I am desperate for you two to meet.”
And for all that the words were true, another burst of nerves shot through her as she considered the pair. She adored Phoebe, and she adored Mina. Beyond Frederick, they were the two most important people in her life, so they were bound to adore each other as well. Of course, they would. There was no reason to borrow trouble and believe otherwise. There was enough trouble brewing in her heart without adding to it.
“I see it!” Mina rose to her toes and pointed toward a stall whose banner proudly proclaimed that it belonged to Dunsby Hall.
“Brilliant,” said Thea, squeezing her friend’s arm as the pair fought their way through the crowd.
And sure enough, Frederick stood nearby, his bright eyes studying the bags of grain as buyers bartered with his staff. Thea called out to him, but his head whipped about in the other direction, turning toward the fields where the livestock pens stood, and with quick steps, the ladies hurried after him as he moved to that portion of the market.
“Mr. Voss!” called Thea, her feet moving quicker as she dragged Mina alongside her.
Straightening, Frederick turned and scoured the crowd, his eyes taking a moment before they fell upon her. And in that instant, the tautness in his features melted away. His mouth broke into that wide, boyish grin she knew so well, the kind that lit his countenance as though the sun itself shone through him. Thea’s heart lifted at the sight, warmth blooming in her chest until it stole her breath.
Whatever weight he carried, whatever troubles he sought to hide, in that instant there was nothing but the clear, unguarded joy that her presence gave him. She tightened her hold onMina’s arm, scarcely aware of how quickly her feet moved as they carried her closer, her own smile growing exponentially in answer to his.
For all that she was familiar with using his proper name in mixed company, Thea found it difficult not to use his given name and kiss his cheek, but she contented herself with gazing at him with all those thoughts buzzing about her mind like bees in a field of wildflowers.
And his own eyes glowed with similar sentiments, warming her even more.
“Mr. Voss,” she managed. “How good to see you.”
“And it is good to be seen,” said Frederick, adopting a somber expression filled with false pomposity whilst his gaze blazed with laughter. “It is a fine day, is it not? And who is this exquisite creature at your side?” Turning to Mina, the gentleman took her hand in his and bowed low over it. “Are you the Miss Mina Ashbrook I’ve heard so much about?”
For all that his manners were overdone, there wasn’t a hint of mockery in them, yet the lady’s round cheeks turned a vibrant shade of red as she stammered a greeting in return. Frederick Voss may be a merciless tease, but the sight had him straightening, and the jester vanished from his expression as he met Mina’s gaze with all the earnest kindness he possessed.
“I am honored to meet you, Miss Ashbrook,” said Frederick. “I feel as though I owe you a great debt, my good lady. Miss Keats here has regaled me at length about how highly she regards you and how good a friend you’ve been to her over the years.”
